Beth Leipholtz: Advocate for Inclusion and Accessibility

About the Guest(s): Beth Leipholtz is a multifaceted professional and mother, known for her transparent sharing of personal life experiences on social media. She is the author of the children's book, "The ABCs of Inclusion," and previously penned "Hello, Holland," aimed at parents navigating their children's hearing loss. Beth's journey through motherhood, managing her son's deafness, cochlear implants, and use of sign language, forms the crux of her advocacy for inclusion and accessibility. With a significant following on social media platforms, including a presence on TikTok, Beth leverages her story to make lesser-known conditions more familiar to the general public. She is also a website designer, owns a photography business, and is a voice for sobriety, having been alcohol-free for a decade.

Episode Summary: In this heartening episode of the Think Inclusive podcast, Tim Villegas welcomes guest Beth Leipholtz to a dialogue that navigates the intertwining paths of personal narrative, maternal advocacy, and the pursuit of inclusive environments. Beth provides a window into her world as the mother of a deaf child equipped with cochlear implants, touching on the role of American Sign Language (ASL) in their lives and the decisions that have shaped their journey. 

The conversation reveals the nuances of parenting a child with a disability and the delicate balance between sharing one's personal story and maintaining respect for privacy. Beth and Tim explore the handling of educational and communicative accommodations, from the implementation of captioning in public settings to school involvement and support systems. The talk delves into the highs and lows of social media advocacy, the considerations around generating content, and the power of accessibility tools like captioned content. Beth's insights are a testament to the expansive nature of inclusive practices, challenging the audience to reflect on the diversity of lived experiences.

Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/bFrMtlaiPVDrta0EGfTTPHEAYCA

Key Takeaways:

• Beth discusses the capabilities and independence afforded by cochlear implants, including the ability to self-regulate hearing.
• Insights into the differing views within the community regarding cochlear implants and the concept of deafness as an identity or disability.
• An in-depth look at the transformative role educators and schools play in accommodating and fostering an inclusive environment for children like Cooper.
• Beth emphasizes the importance of adapting and evolving based on constructive feedback, especially after the release of her children's book.
• A candid exploration of the challenges and responsibilities involved in sharing personal stories on public platforms for the cause of awareness and inclusion.

Resources:

Website: https://bethandcoop.com/

Think Inclusive: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/

Thank you to our sponsor for this episode, Bookshare! Learn more at https://www.bookshare.org/.

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